AT the Author's Ward Sacrament meeting on September 14, 2025, an unusual thing happened ...
Looking up at the stand, there were NO speakers sitting there -- even no high council members, nothing, zero.
One suspects the worst -- is the Bishopric going to speak? Are ward members going to be asked to speak extemporaneously? Or, what?
Let's be blunt -- On one level, in recent decades, LDS Sacrament meetings are sometimes rather "boring" -- no guest speakers anymore; usually only ultra, basic assigned speaking subjects; speakers who haven't timed the length of their talks beforehand, or ones who lack any personal stories and just read scriptures, or General Conference talk excerpts.
The actual identity of the week's Sabbath "speakers" was both refreshing and surprising.
The Bishop, who was conducting the meeting, announced that he desired that Ward members came to the stand and requested the congregation sing one verse of whatever their favorite hymn was from either the new, or old hymn book -- and also briefly explain why that selection was your favorite.
The result was a very inspiring, uplifting and never boring, 30-minutes after the sacrament passing segment, that was unique.
About a dozen different ward members stood up, stated their favorite hymn -- and none took more than a minute at the pulpit -- and most of the hymns were not ones I would have expected.
The meeting proceeded in a very orderly fashion, little down time -- and no rush, until the last 6 minutes when multiple members started to walk up at the same time and the Bishop had to cut some off, citing time restraints.
From "I Am a Child of God," to several other Primary hymns, to "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel," and some more obscure selections in between, the time rushed by and it was truly an inspiring and pleasant Sacrament meeting.
Where did the idea for this come from? Unknown, but the concept seems worth repeating once every year or so.
And, the Author's favorite hymn, "Master, The Tempest is Raging," was never mentioned, proving likely a wide variety of member favorites exists.
(Plus, you've got to credit the ward organist's great talents, for never having more than a few seconds notice on what she would need to play next.)
